Clasp



0. GE'HRKE.

CLASP. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25| 1921.

' 1,395,102. Patented 0 1;. 25, 1921.

' WITNESSES INVE/VTUH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Application filed February 25, 1921. Serial No. 447,767.

of Vashington, have invented a new and Improved Clasp, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

It is well appreciated that it has been customary to provide what are commonly known as anti-skid chains for automotive vehicles to prevent skidding.

These devices have included chains, extending circumferentially of the wheel, and usually transverse chains extending between the first named chains and around the tread of the tire.

With a View of rendering these elements detachable from the tire, it has been customary to provide fastening members, in association with the ends of the first chains, so that an endless member might be formed.

It is also well appreciated that these fastening elements have presented difiiculties in that, in use the same have been liable to become unfastened, and with this in view it has been customary to wire these fastening elements to look their parts against movement.

Having this defect in mind, I have constructed a fastening element in the nature of a clasp, which is primarily adapted for use in connection with anti-skid chains, but not necessarily limited to this adaptation, and by means of which an-element will be provided which will permit of an instantaneous association of the anti-skid member with the wheel, and prevent any accidental detachment thereof, although permitting of its being wilfully accomplished.

Further objects of my invention will appear in the annexed specification and drawings, which latter present one practical embodiment of the same, and in which;

Figure 1 is a plan view of my clasp, and showing the same in applied position, and

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

In these views the reference numerals 5 and 6 indicate respectively the two end portions of chains which are to be coupled together, by means of my improved type of clasp.

These latter, contrary to the conventional construction preferably include, a body 7, formed with a reduced end portion 8 provided with any suitable means such as a lug 9 for purpose of attaching the end link 5 thereof.

The post 10 is rotatably secured to the opposite end of the body portion 7 and serves to secure one end of a spring 11 in applied position, it being noted that the body 7 is preferably provided with an offset portion 12adjacent the post 10 so as to provide an opening 13.

From the foregoing construction it will be seen that the spring 11 having one of its ends secured to a post 10 may have its body lying adjacent to the upper surface of the body 7 throughout the greater part of the latters length, it being noted that the body 7 is conveniently formed with upturned edges 14 adjacent this part so that the spring 11 lies in what might virtually be termed a groove portion.

Thus it will be appreciated that any suitable tool may be utilized to lift the outer end of the spring 15 subsequent to which the post and spring may be rotated allowing the link 6 to be placed in its proper position after which the spring 11 may be swung to its normal position.

It will be obvious that in this position, the link will be incapable of accidental detachment from the clasp by virtue of the stiffness of the spring 11, a distortion to one side of the latter being prevented by means of the upturned edges 14: of the body 7 and if it is desired to wilfully detach the link 6 this may be accomplished by again using a tool for this purpose.

Thus I have provided a clasp more particularly adapted for use in the connection stated, and by means of which primarily, any accidental detachment of the members coupled thereby will be prevented although this may readily be accomplished by deliberately raising the body of the spring.

Also a device of this type mayobviously be manufactured at a minimum of cost, and it will be appreciated that numerous modifications of structure might readily be resorted to without in the least departing from the spirit of my invention, which I claim as-- 1. A clasp, including a body portion, and

. a stiff spring rotatably secured to and normally in intimate contact with said body portion.

2. A clasp, including a body portion formed with an oif-set end, a post secured to said body portion adjacent said off-set end, and a spring having one of its ends secured to the upper end of said post, said spring normally having the major portion of its body in intimate contactwith the body portion of said clasp.

3. A clasp, including a body portion formed with an off-set end, a post secured to said body portion adjacent said off-set end, a spring having one of its ends secured to the upper end of said post, said spring 7 having the major portion of its body normally in intimate contact with the body portion of said clasp, and presenting an upturned end.

4:- A clasp, including a body portion formed with an off-set end, a post securedportion, said body portion being formed with a reduced end and a lug associated with the last named end of saidbody portion.

OTTO GEHRKE. 

